"A matter? Tell me."
"Yes! Actually, on my way home yesterday, I encountered Mr. Honest's son and had some friction with his bodyguard. I suddenly felt a sense of familiarity."
"Oh? Familiarity?"
"Yes, I feel that some of the thugs who attacked me before seemed to use similar moves."
"..."
The temperature in the entire room immediately dropped rapidly, and Budo himself erupted with an astonishing aura.
"Lancer, are you sure? You must know that Honest is the Empire's Minister of Finance, the person who controls the empire's economic lifeline, and the charge of slandering a high-ranking official of the empire... is not light."
From a certain perspective, Budo was still very concerned about Lancer, otherwise, he wouldn't have warned him. As for the stern tone? Compared to one's life, tone is not an issue at all.
But at this moment, Lancer shook his head.
"No, I'm not saying that Mr. Honest is related to this matter. It's the technique used by his bodyguard. As far as I know, it should be the boxing style of the Royal Fist Temple, and many of the people who attacked us before also used the boxing style of the Royal Fist Temple. I suspect that the Royal Fist Temple might be involved?"
Indeed, as Budo said, casually suspecting a high-ranking official of the empire is not a responsibility that a mere Imperial Guard can bear. Moreover, he doesn't believe that he can catch the other party's tail. This is not to say that Lancer lacks confidence, but he is very clear that with his ability, it is impossible to get a handle on a 'great thief of the country'.
So, since he can't get a hold of the main target's tail, he'll settle for something less.
Compared to Honest, an old fox who disguised himself flawlessly, acting against his subordinates would be better. And the 'Royal Fist Temple' is undoubtedly one of the most important thugs under him, after all, there are only so many Imperial Arms users in total.
As for Shira? To be honest, Lancer feels it's not very meaningful. It's impossible for Honest not to know his son's character. He's probably already on Honest's list of expendables. Lancer even suspects that the other party might 'weep and kill Ma Su' and gain some goodwill in the process. Therefore, Lancer first target is the 'Royal Fist Temple'. It was also fortunate that the appearance of one of the Four Demons of the Royal Fist Temple yesterday allowed Lancer to shift his attention away from Honest himself.
Budo, sitting in his seat, pinched his chin and said nothing, but his gradually subsiding aura indicated that he was indeed considering Lancer 'clue'.
The existence of the 'Royal Fist Temple' is very special in the empire. The reason it was named 'Royal Fist Temple' is not only because several generations of its abbots served as the martial arts teachers of the emperor, but more importantly, it is said that when the first emperor ascended the throne, the Royal Fist Temple had given the emperor great help, which is why the name 'Royal Fist Temple' was bestowed.
But few things in this world can be called eternal. The friendship between the first abbot of the Royal Fist Temple and the first emperor of the empire may have been touching, but later generations could not maintain it. After countless generations of influence, the relationship between the two sides has changed from the initial 'brotherly friendship' to a 'mutual interest' relationship.
The Royal Fist Temple cultivates a large number of mid-level soldiers for the empire, and the empire maintains their original status. It can be said that both sides are at peace with each other, but there is no doubt that the royal family holds the initiative, as it could simply recruit another group if it lost the Royal Fist Temple.
Moreover, the fact that neither Budo nor several other imperial generals were from the Royal Fist Temple shows the empire's vigilance towards the Royal Fist Temple. This is something everyone can see.
'If it's really as Lancer said, then this is indeed a possibility, as the people of the Royal Fist Temple are not lacking in motives...'
Lancer, standing on the other side, looked at Budo increasingly profound eyes, and his intuition told him that this time he seemed to have hit the nail on the head!
The power of the Royal Fist Temple is deeply rooted in the empire, and Budo usually wouldn't provoke them. But now that the emperor has been attacked, and he might have died if it weren't for 'Tiger', this has undoubtedly touched Budo sore spot.
If it has nothing to do with the Royal Fist Temple, then it's fine. But if it really does have something to do with them...
An undisguised killing intent instantly spread out from his body.
"Lancer, it's perfect. Come with me to The Emperor. This matter must be decided by The Emperor."
"Yes!!"
Budo was completely in a hurry, and the members of the Imperial Guards who saw his abnormal behavior could almost feel a storm approaching.
"Your Majesty! Your subject, Budo, requests an audience!"
"Come in."
The emperor was very helpless with his friend and most trusted subordinate. Even though their relationship was so good, the other party insisted on being so formal, even though he had said long ago that there was no need to be so formal in his study.
But when he saw Lancer behind Budo, a bit of curiosity appeared on his face. He had indeed asked Lancer to come today (to deliver Tiger), but why did he come with Budo?
Immediately, his eyes narrowed, because he remembered a possibility.
"You have a clue?"
"Yes, a little. But it's better to let Lancer explain the specifics."
After saying that, Budo stepped aside, and Lancer began his 'report'. Although there was no crucial evidence, considering that Lancer and the Royal Fist Temple have no entanglement whatsoever, it's impossible for him to frame them for no reason. And since there's no lead right now, this might be a good one.
"In that case, let's have people investigate..."
The emperor himself did not want the Royal Fist Temple to be involved in this matter, because if it was confirmed, it would be a major earthquake for the entire empire. But if they really were involved, he would absolutely not let them go, as he understood the principle of 'when in doubt, act'.
"Your Majesty!"
But at this moment, Lancer suddenly interrupted the emperor's words. There's no doubt that this behavior is very impolite, and Lancer would almost certainly be punished for doing this in public. But now, it's private, and secondly, because Lancer has saved him from danger multiple times, he doesn't intend to be too demanding. Moreover, from Lancer reaction, it seems he has something important to say.
"Lancer, do you have anything to add?"
"Your Majesty! Please forgive my transgression. This time, the assassins not only attacked the convoy and used my identity, but most importantly, the poison they used also predicted General Budo reaction. It can be said that these assassins are definitely not ordinary people. They are at least very knowledgeable about the people on this trip. It's likely that there are many people involved, and even the empire's intelligence agencies may have participated."
Although Lancer doesn't know if Honest has control over the empire's intelligence agencies at this time, from a certain perspective, it is not impossible. On the other side, the emperor's expression grew more and more grim. Although it was just a guess, if this guess is true, it is likely that this time the entire empire will not just have an earthquake, but will be turned upside down...